New Delhi, June 13 (H.S.): Punjab's 23-year-old shooting star, Sift Kaur Samra, has praised India's first shooting league, the Shooting League of India (SLI), as a transformative development for the sport. After setting a world record with 469.6 points in the women's 50-meter rifle three-position final at the 2022 Asian Games, Sift believes the league will offer new opportunities for shooters, fans, and emerging talents. She noted that this marks a significant advancement in Indian shooting, aiming to increase public awareness of the sport. The league format will allow prominent shooters to engage in team rivalries, which Sift finds exciting compared to the traditional individual or national team competitions experienced at the international level. She highlighted the league's pure sporting nature, emphasizing that every shot holds equal importance, unlike the rankings in regular competitions.

Sift compared the league's potential to revitalize shooting to that of the IPL in cricket, as it could raise awareness and interest among audiences. She expressed enthusiasm for the ability to connect junior shooters with international competitors, fostering a collaborative environment that can advance the sport. Additionally, she believes the league will demonstrate that shooting is not just a serious Olympic event but can also be entertaining.

With the league's debut set for November, Sift conveyed the excitement around team formations and rivalries. She stated that this is a groundbreaking moment for shooting in India and looks forward to being part of this revolutionary change in the sport.

Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar